RAIKU: a new era in sustainable packaging
In a world increasingly aware of its environmental responsibilities, RAIKU emerged as a beacon of innovation and sustainability. Founded in 2021 in Estonia by Karl Pärtel and Rain Randsberg, RAIKU was born from a simple yet powerful vision: to eliminate unnecessary plastic waste by revolutionizing packaging.
Karl and Rain, with deep experience in the packaging and production sectors, saw firsthand how much damage traditional packaging causes to the planet. Their solution was as elegant as it was groundbreaking — a natural, chemical-free packaging material made entirely from thin wooden strips, designed to be biodegradable, compostable, and visually appealing. It wasn’t just sustainable — it was scalable.
The Creative Spark: Creative Business Network
RAIKU’s journey from idea to international impact was accelerated by its early recognition within the Creative Business Network (CBN). In 2020, even before its formal founding, RAIKU captured global attention by winning the Creative Business Cup Estonia, CBN’s flagship global competition that celebrates creative startups with the potential to transform industries.
This win did more than bring visibility — it validated RAIKU's innovation on a global stage and connected the team to an international network of investors, mentors, and like-minded entrepreneurs. The exposure through CBN helped RAIKU shape its branding, refine its impact narrative, and prepare for global partnerships. As CBN emphasizes the fusion of creativity, business, and sustainability, RAIKU became a case study in how creative industries can disrupt traditional markets.
The Investment Journey
RAIKU’s compelling mission and product innovation attracted the attention of both public and private investors. The startup raised its first major funding round in late 2023, securing a total of €8.8 million. This round included a substantial grant and equity investment from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, alongside strategic capital from leading regional investors such as Kaamos, Vestman, Little Green Fund , and private angel investors from Estonia and Finland .
This capital injection was earmarked for scaling production, establishing new manufacturing facilities, and expanding into European markets, especially targeting premium and fragile goods industries.
In parallel, RAIKU was selected for the LVMH Accelerator Program, a clear signal of its potential to align with luxury brands seeking sustainable transformation. This partnership not only opened the doors to the French market but also hinted at future manufacturing expansion into Western Europe.
Today, RAIKU stands at the crossroads of design, sustainability, and deeptech manufacturing — a true example of what the creative economy can achieve when paired with strong innovation ecosystems. With plans for a Series A round and growing demand from eco-conscious brands, RAIKU continues to reimagine what packaging can be.
VivaTech 2025: Spotlight on RAIKU
Most recently, RAIKU was featured by Estonia’s national stand at VivaTech 2025, one of Europe’s largest tech and innovation events. As highlighted by Trade with Estonia, RAIKU showcased its pioneering cleantech packaging innovation — turning thin wood into a chemical-free alternative to bubble wrap — to thousands of attendees in Paris.
This presence reflects how Estonia continues to punch above its weight in deep tech and green innovation, and how startups like RAIKU represent the creative edge of Europe’s cleantech frontier.